Telecom

Airtel emerges the sole auctioner for Nigeria's third 5G license

Airtel emerges the sole auctioner for Nigeria's third 5G license
Thursday, 08 December 2022 17:51

On October 21, the NCC announced that it would auction two lots of 5G telecom spectrum on December 19, 2022. This was an opportunity for Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile to enter the 5G market amidst high demand for broadband connectivity.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced, Wednesday (December 7), that Airtel Networks Limited is the only company in the race to acquire a license in the new 5G spectrum auction. The company paid the Intent to Bid Deposit (IBD), unlike Standard Network & Connections Limited that also expressed interest in the auction.

Therefore, per the memorandum guiding the operation, NCC indicated there would no longer be an auction phase but directly an awarding phase. 

The Nigerian telecom regulator published its intent to auction two new 5G telecom licenses at a unit reserve price of US$273.6 million, last October.  The previous 5G telecom spectrum auction took place in December 2021 with MTN Nigeria Plc and Mafab Communications Ltd emerging as the winners. Each of the winners paid US$273.6 million, significantly higher that the US$199.3 million reserve price. As for Airtel, it offered US$270 million. 

If the licensing process is successful, Airtel will be awarded Nigeria's third 5G license and 100 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band. The company will be able to provide ultra-broadband services to its subscribers, introducing more competition in this market segment. For now, only MTN is providing commercial 5G services in some parts of the country. Mafab Communications is expected to launch commercial 5G by January 2023, by which time it will have acquired the missing unified operational license (UASL).

Isaac K. Kassouwi

On the same topic
• Algeria grants commercial 5G licenses to top three telecom operators: Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo • License award comes on stream as part of the...
MTN Nigeria launched a 100 million naira startup accelerator starting September The 12-week program offers funding, mentorship, and tech...
The MTN Nigeria Dabengwa Tier 3 Data Centre is more than just a physical infrastructure project — it’s a foundational investment in Nigeria’s digital...
Chad begins drafting a manual to implement its National Digital Health Program Aims to ease doctor shortages via telemedicine and digital...
Most Read
01

• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from...

Coffee: Global Consumption Expected to Reach Record Level in 2025/2026
02

In a West African financial landscape marked by tighter regulation of the fintech sector, digital fi...

In Five Years, Francophone Africa Will be A Major Force in African Tech –Régis Bamba
03

• BOAD releases CFA10 billion ($17.8 million) to support Boungou and Wahgnion gold mines.• Burkina F...

BOAD Grants CFA10 Billion to Revive Boungou and Wahgnion Gold Mines in Burkina Faso
04

Transport and food prices have been climbing steadily across Africa in recent years. In Côte d’Ivoir...

Côte d’Ivoire’s Fuel Price Cuts Haven’t Slashed Transport Costs–Yet
05

• Burkina Faso-based financial group, Vista Group Holding, has acquired a majority stake in Société ...

Burkina Faso: Vista Group Acquires Controlling Stake in Société Générale
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com 
Téls: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.